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What is a hazardous seas warning?Ī hazardous seas warning is issued when wave heights and/or wave steepness meet or exceed locally defined warning criteria. What is a waterspout?Ī waterspout is a rotating column of air that forms over water and whose circulation extends to the surface. Swells usually are more regular and have more uniform crests and a longer period than wind waves. Sustained winds are those wind speeds observed and averaged over at least 1 minute. What do forecasters mean when they refer to sustained winds? It's issued when for conditions not adequately covered by existing marine warnings.Ī special marine warning also is issued when waterspouts are either predicted or occurring. What is a special marine warning?Ī special marine warning affects coastal waters and is issued when there is a potential for hazardous weather conditions usually of short duration (2 hours or less) and producing wind speeds of 39 mph. What is a storm watch?Ī storm is issued when there is an increased risk for sustained storm force winds or frequent gusts of 55 mph to 73 mph but its occurrence, location, and/or timing is still uncertain. There is no legal definition for "small craft." What is a storm warning?Ī storm warning is issued when sustained surface winds not directly associated with a tropical cyclone range from 55 mph to 73 mph. The seas range for various weather service offices. The gale warning is issued when the winds are not directly associated with a tropical cyclone.Īn advisory is issued for coastal waters when winds of 22mph to 38 mph to from are either predicted or occurring and/or seas are considered potentially hazardous to small boats. What is a gale warning and advisory?Ī gale warning is issued when sustained winds between 39 and 54 mph are predicted or occurring. What is a small craft advisory?Ī small craft advisory is a type of wind warning issued by the National Weather Service when winds have reached, or are expected to reach within the next 12 hours, a speed around 25 to 38 miles per hour and/or seas or waves are greater than 4 feet. Here are some other water-related terms used by the National Weather service and what they mean. Watch Video: Know the warning signs of deadly rip currents
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What's that mean? How to spot a rip current Red flag? Large portion of Florida under red flag warning. Heat warnings: What do heat warnings and watches mean? Terms you should know Calm conditions expected but exercise caution. You should be cautious if entering the water, don’t swim alone, and know what to do if caught in a rip current Yellow flags mean some rip current activity is expected. It’s recommended to stay out of the water. Red flags mean dangerous rip current activity is expected.The rip currents would be likely to be stronger and more frequent.
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All waters of the state fall into one of five surface water classifications ( 62-302.400 F.A.C.) with specific criteria applicable to each class of water.
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